As Catedrais Beach, Spain

When the tide is low—and only when it’s low, since high tide erases most signs of the arches—visitors wander the sandy beach, exploring a natural architecture that rivals anything ever built by human hands.

Preikestolen, Norway

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The thrill of the vertical drop is palpable at Preikestolen, or “Pulpit Rock,” a narrow plateau towering nearly 2,000 feet above a fjord in the south of Norway.

More than 200,000 visitors every year make the two-hour hike to feel the adrenaline and admire the views.

Ancient Beech Forests, Germany

Found in tucked-away corners of the country, such as Jasmund and Muritz national parks, the virgin forests give visitors a sense of what Europe was like thousands of years ago, when beech forests blanketed much of the continent.

Bigar Waterfall, Romania

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Sometimes it’s not about how tall a waterfall is or how much water it moves per second, it’s about the surprise and delight it inspires.

That’s certainly the case with Romania’s Bigar Waterfall, a massive moss-covered rock that channels water in tiny streams around its base.

Dune of Pilat, France

The highest dune in Europe stands proudly along the Atlantic seashore in the southwest of France. The Dune of Pilat is 1.7-miles long, about 2,000-feet wide, and in places nearly 400-feet tall.

It’s also migratory: Each year, it moves up to 16 feet inland. But at least for now, the dune still offers a great view of the water.

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

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If anyone ever proves the story that this marvel was built by a giant, we promise to remove Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway from this natural wonders list.

But for now, we’ll assume that geologists have it right, and that this marvel of basalt columns that seem to form a cobbled path into the sea is the work of volcanic activity, not an industrious giant.

Santorini, Greece

The Greek island traces the outer edge of a dormant volcano. Take a short boat trip to Palea Kameni, one of the two small volcanic islands in the middle of Santorini’s bay, for a soak in the famous mud baths.

Brimham Rocks, England

Nature is surprisingly playful. Nowhere is that more apparent than at Brimham Rocks, naturally occurring balancing moorland rock formations in Yorkshire, England.

Marvel at gravity-defying formations with names like the Dancing Bear, test your balance on the Rocking Stones, or find your way through the Smartie Tube.

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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Raft your way through Europe’s deepest gorge. Hike among one of the continent’s last pristine black pine forests. Admire more than a dozen sparkling lakes.

This is the world of Montenegro’s Durmitor National Park, an off-the-beaten-path marvel and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Gauja National Park, Latvia

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Latvia knows a thing or two about natural wonders. Nearly half the country is covered by forests, and the country takes great pride in its pristine wilderness.

Four national parks protect some of Europe’s oldest forests, rivers, and beaches. Gauja National Park protects Latvia’s longest river and largest cave, plus the dramatic Sietiniezis Rock, a cliff formation dotted with pillars, alcoves, and caves.

Ria Formosa, Portugal

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The Ria Formosa system of barrier islands in the south of Portugal is known for its rich wildlife (it’s a favorite among birdwatchers) and the fact that the islands are constantly reshaping themselves with the help of surrounding winds, currents, and tides.

Svalbard Islands, Norway

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The Svalbard Islands are one of the world’s best spots to experience the seasonal natural wonders of summer’s midnight sun and winter’s polar nights.

The isolated archipelago halfway between Norway and the North Pole experiences endless daytime from late April to late August. In the winter months, an arctic twilight takes over the sky day and night. And from late February to early April, the sun constantly hovers just on the horizon, sunrise-style.

Lakes Districts, Italy and England

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Soaring Alps line the shores of sparkling lakes. Small towns dot the shores, separated by long stretches of forest, cliffs, and beaches. The main lakes of Como, Maggiore, Lugano, and Garda are joined by smaller lakes tucked into the region’s still-wild hills and mountains.

England’s Lake District—also sometimes called The Lakes or Lakeland—has been inspiring country ramblers, artists, and poets for centuries. The intoxicating blend of pristine lakes, mountain peaks, and green rolling hills fall mostly within the Lake District National Park.